Introduction to Industrial Fatigue

Fatigue results in slower reactions, reduced ability to process information, memory lapses, absent-mindedness, decreased awareness, lack of attention, underestimation of risk, reduced coordination etc. Fatigue can lead to errors and accidents, ill-health and injury, and reduced productivity. Fatigue dramatically increases the risk of accidents and injuries in the workplace, and reduces productivity and performance. Prolonged fatigue can cause serious physical and mental health problems. Fatigue is a lack of energy and motivation. Drowsiness and apathy (a feeling of not caring about what happens) can be symptoms that go along with fatigue. Fatigue can be a normal and important response to physical activity, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep. Fatigue can also contribute to staff turnover, as employees may feel burnt out or overwhelmed by their workload. By managing fatigue and promoting a culture of safety and well-being, organizations can help retain their employees and reduce staff turnover. In management, fatigue study refers to the long working hours with sufficient breaks which results in stress, which is also known as fatigue. This has an adverse effect on the health of the employees. Through study of fatigue, one can reduce the level of stress and maintain an optimum operational efficiency. The main objective of fatigue study is to determine the amount and frequency of rest intervals in completing a task efficiently.